Towards a Second Social Movement in Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine
How should the field of psychosomatic medicine evolve to better represent the complex ways that mind, body, and social context interact to affect health? This letter to the editor explores the ongoing need to adapt the way we understand the connection between mind and body in the context of health, and how a name change represents a broader shift in the field.
College of Health researcher(s)
Abstract
This letter to the editor discusses the evolution of the American Psychosomatic Society (APS) into the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM) and the renaming of its journal to Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine. The original APS was formed in 1942 as a response to the dehumanization of medicine and sought to study the interrelationships between emotional life and bodily processes within a social context. The term "psychosomatic," derived from the Greek words for mind and body, was chosen to reflect this focus. However, over time, the term "psychosomatic" became problematic, considered by some to be too narrow and not fully representative of the complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors influencing health.
Several name-change initiatives were proposed, but none gained sufficient support until 2023, when the society chose the name Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine, or SBSM. This change was motivated by a desire to emphasize the relevance of representativeness, sociocultural, and environmental factors in the study of mind-body interactions, especially in light of recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements. The new name, biopsychosocial, reflects the society's emphasis on the interconnectedness of biological, psychological, and social processes in health and disease. The society's new mission is "To advance biopsychosocial science and its application for health", guided by the principles of equity, honesty, transparency, justice, and belonging. This change represents what the authors call a "second social movement," aiming to use a broader, more inclusive approach in understanding health and disease. The transition from APS to SBSM signifies an inflection point in the shared history of the society and journal.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM)
What prompted the recent renaming of the American Psychosomatic Society (APS) to the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM)?
The renaming was driven by a desire to better represent the society's emphasis on the interactions among biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors in understanding health and illness. The term "psychosomatic" was viewed as increasingly inadequate and potentially misleading, failing to fully encompass the multidisciplinary nature of the field. Furthermore, the society sought a name that reflected its community, purpose, internationality, and orientation to public impact, particularly in the context of contemporary social justice movements and an increased awareness of health inequities.
What is meant by "biopsychosocial science" as referenced in the new name?
Biopsychosocial science is an interdisciplinary field focused on understanding the interacting biological, psychological, social, behavioral, and environmental processes that contribute to human health and disease across the lifespan. It moves beyond the traditional focus on purely biological factors to include the complex interplay of mind, body, and social context in the development, prevention, management, and treatment of illness.
How does "biopsychosocial medicine" differ from traditional medical practices?
Biopsychosocial medicine applies the scientific understanding from biopsychosocial science in clinical and public health contexts. This involves considering not only biological factors but also the psychological, social, and environmental influences on a patient's health. It moves away from a purely reductionist approach to medicine, aiming for a more holistic and integrated understanding of illness and health management.
What was the historical context surrounding the founding of the American Psychosomatic Society (APS)?
APS was founded in 1942 during a period of global conflict and uncertainty, including the rise of fascism, the Holocaust, economic instability, and the threat of nuclear war. It was also a time of social injustice in the U.S., with eugenics-driven forced sterilizations, racial discrimination, and inhumane treatment of minority populations. These circumstances contributed to the development of the society as a movement to humanize medicine by recognizing the complex interplay between mind, body, and social context.
Why did earlier name-change initiatives for the American Psychosomatic Society (APS) fail?
While there were concerns about the limitations of the term "psychosomatic" expressed by society members over the years, previous name-change initiatives failed because they could not garner the necessary two-thirds majority support from members during society-wide votes. This demonstrates the challenge of achieving consensus on a name change within a well-established organization.
What specific events in recent years catalyzed the most recent push for a name change?
Several events contributed to the momentum for the name change. These include the societal shifts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the global social justice movements following the murders of George Floyd and other Black Americans, the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, and an increased awareness of social and climate-related health inequities. These events underscored the need for the Society to explicitly embrace its commitment to antiracism, inclusiveness, and equity, which is now encapsulated in its new guiding principles.
What are the new guiding principles of the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM)?
The new guiding principles of SBSM are equity, honesty, transparency, justice, and belonging. These principles reflect a commitment to addressing social inequalities and ensuring that the society operates in an ethical and inclusive manner. This indicates a shift towards not only studying mind-body interactions but actively working towards a more just and equitable approach to health science.
How does the current situation of the world mirror the founding circumstances of the society?
The current era is marked by similar challenges as those surrounding the original founding of the society including brutalities of war, existential threats, social injustice, and geopolitical conflict. This emphasizes that the Society and Journal are still needed to impact the public for the greater good while also highlighting that the founding goals and the new mission share roots in a commitment to addressing challenges related to society and health.